Hamiltonstovare
The Hamiltonstovare, also known as the Hamilton Hound or Swedish Foxhound, is a relatively young dog breed developed in Sweden. The breed's creation can be traced back to the early 20th century when the founder, Count Adolf Patrick Hamilton, sought to create a versatile scent hound suitable for hunting in the Swedish countryside. To achieve this, he crossed the Harrier, English Foxhound, and various Swedish hounds, resulting in the Hamiltonstovare we know today.
- Origin
- Sweden
- Alternate Names
- Hamilton Hound, Swedish Foxhound
- Life Expectancy
- 14-17 years
- Average Male Height
- 19-24 inches
- Average Female Height
- 19-24 inches
- Average Male Weight
- 40-75 pounds
- Average Female Weight
- 40-75 pounds
- Coat Length
- Short
- Coat Type
- Smooth
- Coat Colors
- Tri-Colored (White, Black, Tan)
- Coat Pattern
- Black Patches, Tan Markings
Genetic Predispositions and Health
The Hamiltonstovare can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and progressive rod-cone degeneration. As for all breeds, genetic screening is recommended to assist veterinarians with diagnosis and proactive care, as well as help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.
Personality and Behavior
Hamiltonstovares are known for their friendly and even-tempered personalities. They are loyal and affectionate towards their families, making them excellent family companions. As scent hounds, they have a keen sense of smell and love to follow scents, so proper training and supervision are essential when outdoors, as they might get easily distracted. They are generally good with children and other larger pets but should be socialized from an early age to ensure well-rounded behavior. They do have a strong prey drive, so they might not be suitable in households with smaller pets.
Fun Facts
The breed's name, Hamiltonstovare, is derived from the founder's name, Count Hamilton, and the Swedish word "stövare," which means hound.
Hamiltonstovares have an excellent sense of smell, which makes them well-suited for tracking and trailing scents, making them valuable hunting companions.
The breed gained recognition by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1921 and has since gained popularity not only in Sweden but also in other countries as a skilled and amiable canine companion.
References
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/hamiltonstovare?page=1
https://www.ukcdogs.com/hamiltonstovare-hamilton-hound
https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/dog-breeds/hamiltonstovare https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/HAMILTONSTOVARE-132.html
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hamiltonstovare/